North’s Marginalisation: You Must Apologise to Tinubu, Nigerians over Self-Serving, Frivolous Claims—Umahi Tells Kwankwaso

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has refuted the recent claim by former Kano Governor Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has marginalised the North in federal road infrastructure projects, The Nation Newspaper reported.

The minister described the allegation as “absolutely false, misleading, and self-serving.”

Umahi urged the former governor to apologise to the president for misleading Nigerians and retract the unfounded statement, which he described as lacking in both fact and substance.

Umahi also urged Kwankwaso to rely on the factual information he had provided in the interest of Nigerians and national unity.

Umahi further appealed to Nigerians to disregard Kwankwaso’s claims, assuring them that President Tinubu remains firmly committed to developing every part of the country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God.

For emphasis, the minister challenged anyone with contrary facts regarding the road projects he presented, inviting them to an open debate.

“To my brother Senator Kwankwaso, you owe our dear president an apology and a duty to withdraw your statement using the information I have provided for the benefit of Nigerians and the unity of the nation.

“I request the good people of Nigeria to ignore Senator Kwankwaso’s misleading statement and know that President Tinubu is evenly committed to developing every part of this country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God,” he said.

Accusing Kwankwaso of political opportunism, the minister said, “This statement, in my view, is part of his struggle, along with a few others, to inherit the impeccable legacy of our late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I consider the statement as one made out of desperation and as part of his struggle, along with a few others who believe that they can inherit the impeccable legacy of our dear late President Muhammadu Buhari and that the only way available for them towards achieving the same is to be divisive and pretentious. 

“Trying to be like our late President Buhari cannot be a job of three decades and cannot be done with deceit. 

“I think our younger generation has such a chance, and it must be worked for through hard work, honesty, transparency, and commitment to the unity of our country, a legacy that our late President Buhari achieved in all his life on earth. May God continue to bless his legacies and give him a peaceful rest, amen.”

To counter the allegations, Umahi provided updates on major ongoing federal road projects across all six geopolitical zones, emphasising the Northern region.

According to him, the four legacy projects of the Tinubu administration include the 750 km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with 175 km under construction; the 1,068 km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, with 378 km ongoing in the North; the 465 km Trans-Sahara Highway, with 59 km under construction in Ebonyi State; and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road, measuring 439 km and currently undergoing redesign to rigid pavement.

“Out of the total length of these legacy projects, the North accounts for 52%, while the South has 48%. Within the segments already under construction, the North has 756 km ongoing, compared to 409 km in the South,” he said.

He added that Kebbi State alone has 316 km under construction and Sokoto has 240 km ongoing. In contrast, Lagos has just 220 km. “Yet people only mention Lagos-Calabar and ignore the massive work in the North,” Umahi remarked.

Providing further details, Umahi cited the 275 km dualised Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua-Zaria road, part of a 750 km corridor being handled by four contractors at ₦824 billion, while also listing the 700 km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, valued at ₦764 billion.

Other key Northern projects, according to the minister, include the 256 km BUA Tax Credit road spanning Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano states; the 156 km Zaria-Hunkuyi road; the 49 km Kano Northern Bypass; the 110 km Kano-Maiduguri Section V; and various Dangote Tax Credit roads in Borno State.

According to him, additional projects in the North include the 76 km Malando road in Kebbi, the 250 km Benue to 9th Mile road, and the 86 km Lokoja-Okene dualisation project.

Turning to Southern Nigeria, Umahi highlighted several completed and ongoing projects, which include the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin road, and critical repairs on the Third Mainland, Eko, and Carter bridges.

In the Southeast, he explained that the Enugu-Onitsha road (107 km) is being funded by the MTN Tax Credit Scheme, with an additional 72 km stretch undertaken by CBC, adding that the Enugu-Abakaliki road and access roads to the Second Niger Bridge are also under construction, along with the 61 km Lokpanta-Enugu road.

In the South-South, ongoing projects include the Eleme-Onne road, the Eket Bypass, East-West Road Section 2, the Nembe-Brass road, and the Bodo-Bonny road by Julius Berger.

Umahi announced that a comprehensive list of inherited and ongoing projects would be published shortly. 

Umahi noted that out of the inherited Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) tax credit projects, the North has 53%, while the South has 47%. Of these, the Southeast receives only 4% and the Southwest 5%. “Yet the president never complained but continued funding them,” he said.

“I have been under pressure from Southwest stakeholders for major roads like Ibadan-Oyo, Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa, and Ore-Sagamu, but limited funding is a challenge. 

“The Carter Bridge is so deformed it needs to be demolished. The Third Mainland Bridge is closed to heavy trucks due to underwater defects.”

“Mr. President has continued to fund critical projects irrespective of region. These are all part of our economic corridors. I will publish details of ongoing projects above ₦20 billion next week,” Umahi said.

Lamenting the situation, Umahi accused certain political figures of deliberately spreading falsehoods for political gain, saying, “Unfortunately, some political leaders aim only to deceive Nigerians and gain political favour instead of promoting unity.”

The minister, however, challenged anyone with contrary facts to an open debate, saying,“I am ready to explain further and even face a public debate to set the record straight.

“I repeat, Senator Kwankwaso should apologise to President Tinubu and Nigerians. His claim is not backed by facts. Let the truth be known. Let us focus on building a united and developed Nigeria. The facts are there for everyone to see.”